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Cultural Themes In King Kong

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The Complexities of Kong The original King Kong, directed and produced in 1933 by Merian C. Cooper, set a groundbreaking decades-long precedent for all subsequent thriller, horror, and animation films made in Hollywood. Three versions of this movie spanned several decades. King Kong tells the story of an attractive woman and a frightening gigantic ape-monster who are immersed in a beauty and the beast type tale. Through Cooper’s visual imagery and specific dialogue, he conveys themes of racism, sexuality, and gender numerous times to open the minds of cultural differences. Cooper reveals his views on racism through visual and behavioral contrast between the indigenous and urban people. In the beginning of the movie, Carl Denham, a prestigious …show more content…

With “lower,” animal instincts, the ape often functions as a human-like symbol of desire. An enormous furry ape and his uncontrollable quest for a “blonde” beautified by Hollywood implies that Ann is simply an object to be desired and a prize to be obtained. This helps justify Cohen’s argument that “through the body of the monster fantasies of aggression, domination, and inversion are allowed safe expression” (Cohen 25). Cooper uses his imagination to convince other male viewers that Ann is seen as a dream girl. Kong also is seen with lustful desire as he slowly peels her clothes reveling skin underneath. This was a big eye opener to audiences watching due to the many restrictions movie and TV shows had on what to show. Kong is captured for only one reason, he won't take no for an answer. He angrily and mightily pursues Ann, only to be conquered by Denham and his crew and brought to New York. Not soon after, Kong breaks free in a Broadway theater. He chases a terrified Darrow who is easily plucked by Kong off a bed, a sexual object, through the window of an apartment. She cries out in fear from the top of the Empire State Building while Kong is attacked by toy planes. In this final scene, the viewer feels some sympathy for the ape, even though Ann shows no concern for Kong. To the very end, Kong brings his attentions to Ann as he picks her up and places …show more content…

After Ann boards the ship, the ship’s crew is distant and disapproving that any women should be on board. This is later emphasized when Captain Jack replies to Ann, “This is no place for a girl” (Cooper 1933). Cooper uses Ann as a source of crossing boundaries of gender expectations and idealisms. This is further proven when Jack replies, “You ain’t women,” showing that Ann defeated her role as a women in New York standards (Cooper 1933). Girls had very little power and certain expectations to follow that are now uncommon in this era. As Kong holds Ann, he encounters a large number of enormous prehistoric creatures. In his effort to protect Ann he uses his masculinity built from nature in the strength and courage to fight other monsters. In contrast, Jack, her love interest, uses technology and machinery to defend himself and define his own masculinity. However, Ann portrays a typical stereotype as the damsel in distress. She often screams but seems helpless never willing to defend or attempt to escape. Also Kong’s victims are particularly all female through the human sacrifice where as other monsters such as Dracula have a broad range of victims that he uses for his own personal

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